.Terrorist group detained in Kyrgyzstan planned blasts at embassies.

17/1 Tass 151

BISHKEK, January 17 (Itar-Tass) - Members of the terrorist group
detained in Kyrgyzstan planned a chain of blasts at diplomatic missions
situated in capital Bishkek as well as blasts at Transit Centre at Manas
(formerly Manas Air Base), the chairman of the State National Security
Committee, Keneshbek Duishebayev, said on Monday.
"The detainees have already confessed to a number of blasts," he said.
"Also during the questioning they told about plans of their terrorist
activity."
According to him, members of that terrorist group are involved in
blasts at Bishkek synagogue last autumn and at the Sports Palace in
December. Only by a lucky accident there were no casualties during those
terrorist acts.
Besides, members of that group say it was them who brought a car
stuffed with explosives to the building of Bishkek's chief police
department several days ago. However, police found the vehicle and defused
it. Duishebayev said that it was that vehicle that the criminals had
planned to blast at Transit Centre at Manas.
"It has been established by the present moment that 11 people are
active members of the Jaishul Mahdi terrorist organisation, and eight of
them have already been detained," Duishebayev said. The search for three
other terrorists continues.
The leader of the group, Sovetbek Islamov, was shot dead during a
special operation. Duishebayev did not rule out that there could be many
more people in the group.
According to preliminary data, the detained terrorists and their
accomplices could be involved in the killing of three policemen in one of
Bishkek's districts.
-0-zhe/usn